Pentatonic Minor Scale
The last lesson introduced major and minor pentatonic side by side. Here we focus on minor pentatonic—the scale behind most rock and blues solos.
A minor is the usual starting key: root on the 5th fret of the low E string. If you already know one box shape, you likely know this one.
The Five Notes
X:1
T:A-Minor Pentatonic
K:Am
L:1/4
"Am"A, c d e g a ||
A (root), C (minor 3rd), D (4th), E (5th), G (minor 7th). The 2nd and 6th degrees of natural minor are left out—that is what makes it pentatonic.
Notice A, C, and E are also the notes of an A minor chord. Those chord tones are the safest notes to land on over Am harmony.
Each example is playable in Music Buddy. Turn on the Tab toggle to see where the notes fall on the fretboard. Use the Chords toggle on the scale example to see the underlying chord shape.
Move the Shape
Shift the same pattern down two frets and you are in G minor:
X:2
T:G-Minor Pentatonic
K:Gm
L:1/4
"Gm"G, _B c d f g ||
Same interval pattern every time: root, minor 3rd, 4th, 5th, minor 7th. Learn the sound of those intervals—not just the visual shape—so you can solo in any key.
and how to find the root on the neck.
A Simple Phrase
Four bars over A minor—all pentatonic tones, landing on A at the end:
X:3
T:Minor Pentatonic Phrase
K:Am
M:4/4
L:1/8
"Am"A c d e g e d c | A c d e g a g e | d2 c2 A4 | z8 ||
Play it slowly. Then try starting on C or E instead of A—same notes, different emphasis.
Pattern Practice
Classic up-and-down pattern. Each measure is a full four beats:
X:4
T:Minor Pentatonic Pattern
K:Am
M:4/4
L:1/8
A2 c2 a2 c2 | d2 e2 d2 e2 | g2 a2 g2 a2 | e2 d2 e2 d2 | c2 a2 c2 a2 ||
Vary the rhythm once you have the notes under your fingers—triplets, quarter notes, or rests all work.
.
Practice tip: Say each note name as you play the scale. Shapes get you started; knowing the names frees you from one fretboard position.
Further viewing
- (JustinGuitar)—shape, sound, and first licks
- (Jules Guitar)—playing musically, not just running patterns
Next up: exercises to build fluency with minor pentatonic.
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